Norvic Philatelics - GB New Stamps and Special Postmarks

The Centenary of the Great War - 21 June 2016

This
is the third set in a five part landmark series that
commemorates ‘the War to end all Wars’. Not only did
the First World War claim millions of lives, it changed the
course of history and transformed the lives of generations to
come. Each year of the war is explored though a stamp
which covers six key themes: Poppies, Poetry, War Art, Memorials
and Artefacts. These themes combine to form a beautiful and
poignant collection which serves as a fitting way to commemorate
this tragic conflict.

1916 witnessed some of the largest battles in human history,
both on land and at sea, and Britain would also face major new
challenges at home. Key developments in 1916 included:
Evacuation from Gallipoli, Conscription and Conscience, Uprising
in Ireland, Clash of the Dreadnoughts, Slaughter on the Western
Front, The Crucible of the Somme and The Growing Strain at Home.

Some
people contacting Royal Mail may have been told that the 1st World
War issue will be delayed by up to 8 weeks caused by a printing
error.
This was a misunderstanding: the stamps, miniature sheet, PSB, and
first day envelope - which are already with dealers and Post Office
branches are correct in every way,
and will be issued on 21 June as planned. There will be
a delay to the distribution of some other products. See our
blog.

The stamps in detail

1st CLASS - BATTLEFIELD POPPY, GILES REVELLGiles Revell is a London photographer who is particularly
interested in the ways in which photography can capture form and texture. In
his Battlefield Poppy, a single poppy stands against a chaotic and barren
background. The image has an ethereal quality, suggesting the alienation of
life from a world of violence and suffering. To create this delicate and
atmospheric photograph, Revell suspended real poppies in a water tank and
added coloured dyes to create swirling mist-like patterns. The result, after
much painstaking experimentation, is a painterly effect that captures the
solitary poppy’s fragility and vulnerability.

1st CLASS - ‘TO MY BROTHER’, VERA BRITTAINVera Brittain was born in 1893 in Staffordshire. At the outbreak of
the war, her younger brother Edward applied for a commission, and in 1915
Vera trained as a nurse. In June 1918, she wrote ‘To My Brother’, a
poem commemorating Edward’s bravery on the Somme two years previously, in
which she addressed her brother with the following words: “May you endure to
lead the last advance”. Four days later, Edward was killed. Vera was
devastated by his death. After she died in 1970, her ashes were scattered on
his grave, according to her wishes. By then, her writings had made her a
major figure in the literary history of the war.1st CLASS - MUNITIONS WORKER LOTTIE MEADEThis studio portrait shows Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Meade. Reflecting her
work as a munitions worker, Meade is posing in her overalls, her hair
covered by a headscarf. On her overalls, she wears a small triangular
brooch, an ‘On War Service’ badge that marks her as playing her part in the
war effort. During the war, millions of women entered Britain’s workforce,
while many others left work such as textile manufacturing and domestic
service in favour of higher-paying war work. Employment in the munitions
industry could be hazardous. Meade herself would die of TNT poisoning on 11
October 1916, leaving a husband and four young children.

£1.52 TRAVOYS ARRIVING WITH WOUNDED AT A DRESSING-STATION AT SMOL,
MACEDONIA,
SEPTEMBER 1916, STANLEY SPENCER
This painting by Stanley Spencer was inspired by an incident he witnessed in
September 1916. During the time he was serving with a field ambulance unit
in Macedonia, a stream of wounded was brought to Spencer’s dressing station,
which was housed in a Greek church. As a Christian, Spencer saw this scene
in religious terms; the suffering of the wounded reminded him of Christ’s
crucifixion, while the life-saving work of the surgeons made him think of
the Resurrection.

£1.52 THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCEThe village of Thiepval was a key strategic point on the Somme
battlefield. Fought over many times, it was finally captured by British
troops in late September 1916. Thiepval was later selected as the site of
the Thiepval Memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The arches symbolise
the unity of Britain and France. The memorial’s inner faces bear the names
of 72,253 British and South African troops who died on the Somme and who
have no known grave. Rising up to 160 feet (48m), the memorial now stands
over a peaceful agricultural landscape, dotted with British and imperial
cemeteries and memorials.

£1.52 CAPTAIN AC GREEN’S BATTLE OF JUTLAND COMMEMORATIVE MEDALAfter Jutland, unofficial medals were struck to commemorate the
battle. Designed by Prince Louis of Battenberg, a former First Sea Lord,
these medals were made by Spink and Son of London and sold in gold, silver,
bronze and white metal versions to raise money for naval orphanages. The
design features a trident, a symbol of naval power. Crossed flagstaffs bear
a Union flag and the Royal Navy’s White Ensign, and a shield carries the
date of the battle: 31 May 1916. This particular example belonged to Captain
AC Green of the Royal Marines.